JOHANNESBURG - Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has been granted leave to appeal in a High Court ruling regarding EFF leader Julius Malema's defamation case.
Malema accused Mabuyane of fraudulently obtaining his master's degree.
In June, the High Court dismissed Mabuyane's urgent court application stopping Malema from making defamatory statements about his qualifications.
Mabuyane has now taken the case to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
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Mabuyane's lawyer, Ngqiqo Sakhela, says the decision to grant his client leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal is a significant procedural development in the matter.
"The decision means that the Premier will have the opportunity to place his case before the Supreme Court of Appeal. The merits of the appeal have not yet been determined, and the issues will be reconsidered by the SCA.
"As an Attorney for the Premier, I welcome the decision and we, as the legal team, will proceed with the appeal in accordance with the applicable rules and timeframes. Our focus remains on presenting the Premier’s case before the SCA."
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Mabuyane says he welcomes the opportunity for the matter to be considered by the Supreme Court of Appeal.
"The Premier will consult further with his legal team on the next steps in the appeal process," the Private Office of the Premier of the Eastern Cape said in a statement.
"Premier Mabuyane respects the courts and will not comment on the merits of the matter while the appeal process is underway."